Hexahomoserine as a competitive inhibitor for the incorporation of lysine into protein molecules

Abstract

Scope and Method of Study: The purpose of this report is to assemble the known information on hexahomoserine from its beginning as the unknown anemia-causing factor in deaminated casein until the present time. In the literature many names for hexahomoserine are used. Other names found are α-amino-ε-hydroxycaproic acid, 2-amino-6-hydroxycaproic acid, α-amino-ε-hydroxyhexanoic acid, ε-hydroxynorleucine and 6-hydroxynorleucine. The materials used in this study are chiefly (1) scientific journal articles and (2) abstracts of articles in foreign languages. An attempt has been made to include all significant references to hexahomoserine.

Findings and Conclusions: The chemical structure of hexahomoserine was proven when it was synthesized from 6-hydroxyvaleraldehyde. Later, by chromatographic methods hexahomoserine was proven to be the same compound as the anemia-causing factor in deaminated casein. The active form is the L-isomer. It has been shown that hexahomoserine is a lysine antagonist in many organisms, preventing growth and causing anemia. Its probable mode of action is to act as a competitive inhibitor to lysine, preventing lysine's normal incorporation into protein molecules. Lysine administered simultaneously will promote growth without affecting the lowered red cell count caused by hexahomoserine, In many cases after hexahomoserine was removed from the diet and replaced with lysine, the animals returned to normal after a period of time. An interesting property of hexahomoserine is that it exhibits chemotherapeutic properties on cancer in rats. It also demonstrates properties which might make it a successful agent for treating polycythemia vera.